Rwanda has extended the implementation of a major agricultural financing project backed by the World Bank by 22 months, giving authorities until February 2029 to complete activities that have fallen behind schedule.
The Commercialization and De-risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDAT) project was initially scheduled to end in April 2027. The extension comes as government agencies report progress in financing farmers and livestock keepers, while an audit has also highlighted delays and implementation gaps in some project activities.
Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), said the additional time would allow the government to complete outstanding activities and meet the project’s targets.
“CDAT has been extended. It was originally scheduled to end in April 2027, but it has been extended by 22 months and will now end in February 2029,” Kamana said.
CDAT was established to support commercial agriculture and livestock projects by improving access to loans and matching grants while helping farmers and agribusinesses reduce financing risks and costs.
According to figures from the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), RWF 39.4 billion has so far reached farmers and livestock keepers through banks and other financial institutions. The amount represents 62% of the financing initially targeted by the project.
The number of beneficiaries has also exceeded the original target.
Jean Hitimana, CDAT projects coordinator at RAB, said the programme initially planned to support 1,200 projects or beneficiaries, but the number has since reached 5,469.
“The programme was initially expected to support 1,200 projects or beneficiaries, but that target has already been exceeded, reaching 5,469,” he said.
However, the project’s progress has not been uniform across all activities.
A report presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock and Environment showed that by June 30, 2025, the implementation rate for different CDAT activities ranged from 0% to 74%, depending on the activity.
The Office of the Auditor General also identified challenges including inadequate planning, delays in preparing designs and weaknesses in monitoring works.
The audit findings relate to activities under the project valued at more than US$208 million, equivalent to more than RWF 298 billion.
The issues were raised as MINAGRI and RAB appeared before the parliamentary committee to provide an update on the project’s implementation.
Committee chairperson Alice Muzana said a report available to the committee showed that the disbursement rate for loans and matching grants stood at 41% by June 30, 2025.
Despite the challenges, MINAGRI maintains that the additional implementation period will provide an opportunity to address unfinished activities and improve delivery.
Kamana said the government remains confident that the project can achieve its objectives within the extended period.
“We still have time to implement the project, which is why we are confident that by February 2029, the project will have achieved all its planned objectives,” he said.
CDAT is being implemented in 37 locations across 16 districts.
In the Southern Province, it covers Muhanga, Nyanza, Ruhango, Huye, Gisagara and Nyaruguru. In the Eastern Province, the project operates in Kayonza, Bugesera, Gatsibo, Nyagatare and Kirehe.
It also covers Rusizi and Nyamasheke in the Western Province, Gicumbi in the Northern Province, and Gasabo and Kicukiro in Kigali.
The government says the extension is expected to help complete outstanding activities and support Rwanda’s agricultural transformation objectives under the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5).
